When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

In the past 30 years, light artists have reimagined an art form that has always had the ability to turn the night sky, or a simple window, into luminescence. Last fall, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts turned its southern glass wall into a parade of sound-sensing lights, Lightswarm, that changes with the movements of nearby people and things. Future Cities Lab, the San Francisco design company behind Lightswarm, has originated another notable light sculpture. Located by the YBCA's steps at 701 Mission, Murmur Wall will light up in arresting ways as it incorporates local trending search engine results and social media postings. Onlookers can offer their own contributions, which will feed into the Murmur Wall's data stream and light up the sculpture. What's trending in San Francisco? If you're walking by the YBCA, you can see firsthand — at least through light patterns that reflect the city's volatile internet habits.
Murmur Wall debuts Thursday at 6 p.m. and continues through May 31, 2017, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. Free; 415-978-2700 or ybca.org. More

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Nob Hill Theatre, the all-genders-welcome male strip club, is holding it down on Bush Street, and after several decades of D, it's still S.F.'s only place to see full-frontal guys up close, seven nights a week (for $20).

Take the High Road to 2012

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The dawning of a new year signifies renewed promise. Yet too often, our self-indulgent, self-centered ways seize this opportunity to focus on our faults: We’re too fat, too lazy, too complacent. So tormented are we by our expectations that the rest of the year can be spent in an endless battle of toil and escape. So escape to 2012 and refashion your very identity at the New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball. Here, on the heels of its 100th year, the San Francisco Symphony offers the opulence of anonymity — a festive night of mystery, elegance, and glamor captured in a masquerade ball. Ring in the new year with the symphony’s tantalizing dance program, featuring the music of Strauss, Britten, Shostakovich, and Brahms, as well as a live performance by the dancers of Dance Through Time. Pre- and post-performance revelry includes cocktails and swing music by The Martini Brothers, a 1980s-themed dance party, big band music by New Year’s staple the Peter Mintun Orchestra, and, as always, sparkling wine, desserts, and a patented midnight kiss.
Sat., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., 2011

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"